Rights panel orders urgent overhaul of Muvattupuzha municipal crematorium

Kochi: State human rights commission (KSHRC) has directed Muvattupuzha municipal secretary to take immediate measures to restore the functionality of municipal public crematorium.Municipality has been given a six-week deadline to implement necessary repairs and submit a comprehensive compliance report.Commission’s intervention follows a complaint lodged by M J Shaji of Vazhappilly, Muvattupuzha, who alleged that the crematorium is frequently shut down under the pretext of routine maintenance, causing immense hardship to grieving families. A specific and distressing incident was highlighted in the complaint, which alleged that the body of a deceased individual from Maradu had to be repeatedly pulled out of the furnace due to equipment failure during cremation.Municipal secretary submitted a report denying any disrespect to the deceased. While admitting that a technical snag occurred during the cremation, the report clarified that the malfunction was promptly rectified and the body was never removed from the incinerator. Local body cited that the machinery is over 15 years old and suffers from severe wear and tear.Unsatisfied with the explanations, SHRC chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas directed municipal secretary to take measures to execute emergency repairs without delay.